Portable molding sand muller, including suspendable power-driven muller unit and underlying portable bowl receptacle



2,450,299 NDAYBLE Sept. 28, 1948. w. F. PIPER ET AL PORTABLE MOLDING SAND MULLER, INCLUDING SUSPE POWER DRIVEN MULLER UNIT AND UNDERLYING PORTABLE BOWL RECEPTACLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 24, 1944 s epfijfolakz" M2? b fiber jizaeri/arv p 1943- w. F. PIPER, ET AL 2,450,299

PORTABLE MOLDING SAND MULLER, INCLUDING SUSPENDABLE POWER DRIVEN MULLER UNIT AND UNDERLYING PORTABLE BOWL RECEPTACLE Filed April 24, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 fl zlxwz w. F. PIPER ET AL 2,450,299 PORTABLE MOLDING SAND MULLER, INCLUDING SUSPENDABLE POWER DRIVEN MULLER UNIT AND UNDERLYING Sept. 23, 1948.

PORTABLE BOWL RECEPTACLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 24. 1944 Sept. 28, 1948. F. PIPER ET AL 2,450,299 PORTABLE MOLDING SAND MULLER, INCLUDING SUSPENDABLE POWER DRIVEN MULLER UNIT AND UNDERLYING PORTABLE BOWL RECEPTACLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 24'. 1944 Mlir Patented Sept. 28, 1943 PORTABLE MOLDING SAND MULLER, IN-

CLUDING SUSPENDABLE POWER-DRIVEN MULLER UNIT AND UNDERLYING PORT- ABLE BOWL RECEPTACLE Walter F. Piper and Joseph J .-Soldat, Chicago, Ill., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Pettibone Mulliken Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application April 24, 1944, Serial No. 532,445

13 Claims. 1

The present invention relates generally to mulling apparatus. More particularly the invention relates to that type of apparatus which is designed primarily to be used in a foundry to mull molding sand in order properly to condition it preparatory to use in flasks, and as its main component parts comprises (l) an open top bowllike receptacle which is adapted to receive and retain a batch of sand to be mulled; (2) a rotary horizontally extending crosshead which is connected for drive by an electric motor through the medium of speed reducing gearing; and (3) a mulling element which is mounted on the crosshead and is adapted in connection with drive of the latter to travel around the receptacle and efiect mulling of the sand by squeezing it against the receptacle. I

. One object of the present invention is to provide a sand mulling apparatus of this type which is especially adapted for use in a small sized foundry and is characterized by the fact that the receptacle is mounted on wheels and the rotary crosshead, the crosshead driving electric motor and speed reducing gearing, and the mulling element are in the form af a self-contained unit which is provided with means whereby it may be raised and lowered and is adapted to be lowered onto the receptacle in connection with a sand mulling operation and is further adapted to be raised above the receptacle at the conclusion of a sand mulling operation in order to permit the receptacle to be wheeled to the location where the mulled or conditioned sand is to be used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sand mulling apparatus of the last mentioned character in which the wheel equipped receptacle is in the form of a wheelbarrow whereby it may be readily transported to and from the vertically movable self-contained mulling unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sand mullin apparatus of the type and character under consideration in which the self-contained mulling unit embodies a continuous side wall which surrounds the rotary crosshead and mulling element, is adapted when the unit is lowered into its operative position with respect to the wheelbarrow to rest on, and form a continuation, of, the side wall of the receptacle part of the wheelbarrow, and has means for guiding it into registering relation with the side wall of the receptacle part of the wheelbarrow and also has means for clamping its lower margin to the upper margin of the side wall of the receptacle part of the wheelbarrow.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sand mulling apparatus of the type and character heretofore mentioned in which the selfcontained mulling unit is provided with an upstanding bail whereby it may be attached to the hook of an overhead hoisting apparatus in order that it may be raised and lowered thereby, and the mulling element is in the form of a rotatably supported wheel and is connected to, and carried by, the crosshead in a novel manner.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sand mulling apparatus which is generally of new and improved construction, has certain advantages over previously designed sand mulling apparatus, effectively and eificiently fulfills its intended purpose, and is so designed and constructed that it may be produced at a low and reasonable cost,

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present sand mulling apparatus will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

- Figure l is a side elevation showing a sand mulling apparatus embodying the invention with the self -contained mulling unit in raised relation with respect to the wheelbarrow;

Figure 2 is a vertical section showing the mulling unit in its lowered 0r operative position with respect to the receptacle part of the wheelbarrow and illustrating in detail the construction and design of the speed reducing gearing for driving the rotary crosshead from the electric motor;

Figure 3 is a section taken at right angles to Figure 2 and illustrating in detail the design and arrangement of the crosshead and the manner of mounting the wheels constituting the means for effecting mulling of the sand by squeezing it against the receptacle part of the wheelbarrow;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the apparatus; and

Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Th mulling apparatus which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is designed primarily for use in a foundry or like establishment, serves as a medium or instrumentality for mulling molding sand in order properly to condition it preparatory to use in flasks, and comprises a wheelbarrow 6 and a vertically movable self-contained mullin unit 7. As hereinafter described more in 'detail the unit is adapted in connection with a mulling operation, to be lowered onto the wheelbarrow. It is further adapted after a mulling operation, to be raised into an inoperative position in order to free the wheelbarrow. so that it may be Wheeled or transported tothe location or station where the mulled sand is to be used.

The wheelbarrow 6 comprises a frame structure 8, a pair of ground wheels 9, and a receptacle it. The frame structure-8 embodies-a pair of laterally spaced, parallel, vertically extending sides H, a nose piece l2, a rear wall 13, and a pair of U-shaped legs I4. The sides II are formed of plate metal and are cross connected'by'the nose piece 12 and the rear wall 13. They have the front lower corners thereof cut away as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and embody arcuate cutouts iii in their upper margins. The nose piece I2 is formed of channel'shaped metallic stock and has th ends thereof welded or otherwise rigidly-secured to the front portions of the sides H. "The rear wall 43 extends vertically and has itsends jointed to, and formed integrally with, the rear end margins of the sides II. The legs M are formed of angle bars and have the upper ends Welded to the lower rear corner of the sides H Of the frame structure 8. Inaddition to the parts heretofore mentioned the frame structure embodies a pair of laterally spaced substantially horizontal handles it, The front ends of these handles fit within, and are bolted to, tubular metallic pieces I! whichyas shownin Figures 1 and 4, are welded to the upper rear corners of the sides II. The rear ends of the handles are bent downwards in order to provid hand'g'rips. The wheels 9 are'disposed outwards of the sides H and are located in front of the legs l4. They preferably are provided with pneumatic tires l8 and are mounted on the ends of a horizontal axle IS. The latter is disposed in parallel relation with the rear wall I3 of the frame structure 3 and has the portions thereof that-are directly inwards of the wheels disposed in, and welded to, semicircular recesses in' the'lower central portions of the sides-ll. The receptacle I0 is preferably formed of plate metal and consists of a dished or downwardly bulged bottom'2l and an upstanding cylindrical side wall 22. The receptacle bottom 2| extends transversely across .the sides ll of the frame structured and has portions thereof disposed in the arcuate cutouts l5. Such portions arewelded to the edge portions of the sides that define the cutouts in order that the receptacle I 3 is in fixed or rigid relation with the frame structureB. The receptacle side wall 22 is formed integrally with the marginal portion of the bottom 2! andits reenforced at its upper end by anangle bar type ring 23. The latter embodies a horizontal leg 24 and a vertical leg 25, The horizontal leg projects utwards from, 'andis aligned with, the upper edge of the receptacle side wall 22, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The vertical leg 25 of the ring 23 depends from the inner marginal portion of the horizontal leg 23 and is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the outer surface of the upper end of the receptacle side wall-22. The wheels 9 and the legs I4'of the wheelbarrow serve to support the receptacle Ill inan elevated any desired location in the foundry. Itis'conmulling of the sand in the receptacle.

a mulling operation the mulling unit is raised and the wheelbarrow is wheeled to the location where the mulled sand is to be used.

The self-contained mulling unit I is preferably supported for vertical movement to and from the wheelbarrow by way of an overhead travelling crane C comprising a horizontally extending bridge 0 and a carriage 0 The carriage is mounted for travel back and forth on the bridge and embodies hoisting means in the form of a 16924 ofthe reenforcing ring 23 at the upper end motor operated drum and a cable. One end of the cable is anchored to, and extends around, the drum-and the other end of the cable isprovided with a hook 0 The unit I comprises'acylindrical side wall '26, a horizontally extending rotary crosshead 27, and a pair of mulling wheels:28.

The side wall 26 surrounds the 'crosshead '21 and the mulling wheels 28 and is the same in diameter as the side wall of the wheelbarrow receptacle Hi. It is formed of platernetal and has a reenforcing rin 29 around its lower end and a reenforcing ring30 around its upper end. The reenforcing ring 29 is formed-of angle'bar stock and'consists of a horizontally extending leg 3i and a vertically extendin leg "'32. "The horizontally extending leg is flush with the lower end edge of the side wall 26 and is adapted to rest on the horizontally extending leg'24 of the reenforcing ring 23 when the mulling unit'l is in operative relation with the wheelbarrow 6. The vertically extending leg 32 of thereenforoing ring 29 extends upwards from the inner marginal portion of the horizontally extending leg 3| and surrounds, and is welded or otherwise'fixedly secured to, the outer surface of the lower marginal portion of the side wall 26. The reenforcing rin '30 is formed of angle bar'stock and consists of a horizontally extending leg 33 and a vertically extending leg 34. The horizontally extending leg 33 projects outwards from, and is flush with, the upper end edge of the side wall 26. The other leg of the ring 3D, i, e., the vertically extending leg 34, is connected to, anddepen'ds from, the inner margin of the horizontally extending leg 33 and surrounds, and is-welded or otherwise fixedly secured to, the outer surface of the upper marginal portion of the side wall 25. In order to guide the side wall 26 into registering or concentric relation with the receptacle side wall 22 when the unit 7 is lowered onto the wheelbarrow for a mulling operation a plurality of vertically extending guide plates 35 is- -provided. These guide plates are preferablythree in number and are welded to, and positioned equidistantly around, the side'wall'26. The lower ends of the guide plates 35 are in the form of fingers136 andthese project beneath the horizontally extending leg SI of the reenforcing ring 29. The lower portions of theinner edges of the fingers 36 are bevelled and serve to cam the side wall 26 of the mulling unit 1 into registering or concentric relation with the receptacle sidewall '22 when the-unitis lowered onto the wheelbarrow. When the unit 1 is in place the depending fingers 36 straddle the horizontally extending of the receptacle side wall 22 and thus maintain the side wal1'26 against horizontal displacement with respect to the receptacle side w'all*22. In

addition to the reenforcing ringsand guide plates: the side wall 26 of the mulling unit is provided with a plurality of latches 31. Theselatches correspond in number to; and are associated" re-- spectively with, the'finger equipped guide plates 35 andconsist of horizontally extending L-shaped I latch members 38 and verticallyextending pivot bolts 39. -The. latch members 38 are carried by the pivot bolts-39 so that they-are cap'able of swinging in'a horizontal plane. They 'aredisposed directly beneath the horizontally extending leg 3| of-the reenforcing ring 29 and consists of outer handle type arms 58 and-inner arms ll.

The inner arms are joined to the inner ends ofthe outer arm and: extend at right angles to said outer arms. They are provided-with bevelled or canted uppersurfaces and are adapted when the latch'members 33 are turned in a clockwise direc tion' as viewed in-Figure e to swing'into' an operative position wherein they underlie and engage the horizontally: extending leg'24 of the reenforcing-:rin 23: atl'the upper end 'of -the-receptacle sidewall 22,:andserve to lock the'mulling When the latch member-s38 of the latches 3i areturned in the opposite direction the inner arms il swing out of' engagement-with: the horizontally extending leg .of the areenfor'cing ring 2 3' and: thus release the unit 1 "so that it may be raised with respect" unit '11 to" the wheelbarrow;

torthe wheelbarrow. The vertically-extending pivot bolts 39 extend through holes in the portions-ot-the latch-members 38 where the outer andinner arms are'joined -togeth'er. As shown in-Figures' '1- and'2,- the bolts 39 'are arranged so that the heads -thereofare at the bottomand' underliethe latch members 38'. The shanks of th bolts 39 vextend loosely through sleeve-like membersAZon the guideplates 35 and have nuts" 43iat" their upper extremities. Spiral-compression springs Mare interposed between the nuts- 43 and the upper ends of the sleeve-like menihersl42 and-serveto urge the latch'members-(t5 upwards; The. members Hare preferably welded to the guide plates 35 andare located directly opposite the horizontally extending-leg 3i oithe reenforcirig ring25i The latches 37 exemplify simplemeans'for releasably locking'the side wall 26 of. the mulling unit 7 to the side wall:22- of the wheelbarrow receptacle it). Two laterally spaced parallel horizontal angle bars 55 extend across the upperxend ofthe cylindrical side wall 25.-

These angle barsaconsist of horizontally extendinglegsllfi and verticall -extending legs 41. The horizontally extending legs 36 arejoined to, and

project inwardsafrom, :the lower margins 'of the vertically extending legs a d? and hav the ends thereof.welded=or otherwise fixedly secured to thehorizontally extending leg 53 of the reenforc: ing 39. A .bail ld serves to connect the mulling unit 1 to-thefhOOkC? of.the:carriage of theoverhead travelling crane C; vThe lower ends of thelegs of the bail are providedwith'attaching plates 49' andthese are. welded to the vertically extending legs 41 of theanglebars dJThe bail "is arrangediso that when the unit: l is supported fromthe hook c vit will assume a position wherein the axis ofthe; cylindrical side wall 26 is vertical.

nT e crosshead 21 carries and v serves to revolve the. mulling wheels 28 andis surrounded bysthe cylindrical side. wallifi. It extends horizontally I for the most part-and is fixedly connected to the 1pwer. ,endoi ,a,yertically, extendingdrive shaft 50. An electric motor Ell-operates, throughthe medium of speed reducing gearing 52, to drive the crossheadso thatthe latter, in turn,causes the mulling wheels to travelaround the bottom of the wheelbarrow receptacle lllriand thusefiect mullingof thebatch of sandin th receptacle; As shown in Figures-2 and-'3, the drive shaft'i'ull is centrally disposed with respect tothe cylindrie cal side wall 25 oft-he mulling unit 1 and is 'jour-'* nalled in avertically -elongated bearing. 53.: The upperend of the bearingf-is bolted to the bottom, wall of a sectional housing :54 for the speed re--. ducin'g gearing 52, 'The housingis'horizontally elongated andconsists of alowersection 55 and an upper sections5fi. The lower section extends between the angle bars "and has sidelugsil which-rest upon, :and are bolted to,- 'thehorizon-. tally extending legs lfi of the anglebars45: The upper section 56 of the housing i'sremovably con-J nectedto the'lower section 55 by th bolts which projects into. theother end of the housing for the speedreducing gearing 52. The latter as shown in ll igureilcomprisesa pinion 58, atgear-59, a;

pinion 6d, a gear .61",- apinion 62 and;a gear.63.: The pinion 58,;is 'keyedqor otherwise fixedly se.-;-- cured to-theloweruend of the armatureshaftofthe electric motor5l andmeshes-with," and serves. to drive, the gear 59 inresponse to operation or the motor, Thegear 59 is, loosely mounted on; the upper end ofthe-drive shaft 58;- Theipinion is disposed beneath, and fixedlyvsecuredlto,

the gear.5ll.. It extends loosely around the upper end of the drive shaft 58 and meshes'with; and, serves .toy drive, the'gear-B l i The latter is mounted rotatablyon-the upper end of" a vertically 6X?" tending stubshaft 64 which isaxially alignedwith the-armature shaft of-the mot'oriwand has:

its lower endfixedly secured in a socket 65 in the bottomwall of the lower section ofth'e housing 54.- The pinion 62 is located beneath and connected for drive by, the gear Bland. meshe with,- and serves to drive; the gear-63;;

The latter i located beneath the pinion: and

- is fixedly connected'to the drive-shaft 50;.When

the electric motor 5-! is inoperation it operates to drive the speed, reducing gearing 52 andthe latter, in turn; operates tonrotate the crosshead nd ,efiect driveof the mullingwheels-28-U Electric current is supplied to the; electricimotor' Elbyway of a flexible conductor (not shown);

A switch 65 on the casing o-fpthezelectric motor= 5| serves to control the supply Ofr'current to the motorl As showngin Figured, one1.end of the crosshead 21 is ,bent downwardstoprovide an arm fil, adjacent the inner-periphery of the cylindrical side wall 26; s

The mulling wheels 28 are located at opposite; sides-of thetcrosshead 2? and are adapted in connection with a mulling operation, i. e., Lwhen the receptacle ii? is charged with abatch'of sandand the mulling unit and wheelbarrow are'in their'op er-ative position; to travel in a circular course over the receptacle bottom 2 l and effect mulling of'the sand by squeezing it against the'bottom of the re c'eptacle. They-comprise circular bodies 68 and solid rubber tires :89 around the bodies and are rotatably mounted .on the ends of an axle 1B which underlies the drive shaft 50 and extends at right angles to the crossheadzl. The central portion of the aXle I is welded to the central portionof a bar H which, as shown in Figure 3, is spaced beneath, and is in parallel relation with, the crosshead 2?. The end of the bar ll that is adjacent the down bent arm 67 is connected to the superjacent portion of the crosshead 2'! by way of a vertically extending bolt 12. The bolt is arranged so that the head thereof is at the bottom and abuts against the bottom surface of the bar TI. The upper end of the shank of the bolt extends through an oversized hole 13 in the crosshead 21 and is provided with a pair of nuts, one of which abuts against the top face of the crosshead. A collar shaped block 1 1 of rubber or like resilient material surrounds the central portion of the shank of the bolt l2 and is inter-posed between the bar 2'] and the bar If. The bolt l2 permits the bar together with the mulling wheels 28 to swine vertically to a limited extent. Downward swinging of the bar is limited by way of a crosspin l5 onv the lower end of a vertically extending bar l5." Such bar extends through an oversized hole 1! in the distal end of the bar H and has its upper end welded to the end of the crosshead 2? that is opposite the arm 61. The pin l5 extends transversely through :the lower end of the vertically extending bar 76. It is of such length that the ends thereof serve as stops or abutments for limiting downward swing of the bar H. The bar it is urged downwards by way of a spiral compression spring 18 in order to force the mulling wheels 23 toward the bottom of the wheelbarrow receptacle ID. The lower end of the spring is abuts against the distal end of the bar 1! and the upper end of the spring abuts against a horizontally extending plate 19 which is connected to the upper end of an upstanding bar 89. The last mentioned bar overlies the bar 18 and has its lower end welded to the crosshead 2?. When the mulling unit I is raised with respect to the wheelbarrow the distal end of the bar 1! rests on, and is supported by, the crosspin 15. When the unit is lowered into its operative position with respect to the wheelbarrow 5 the wheels 28 cause the bar H to swing upwards after they are brought into engagement with the receptacle bottom 2| of the wheelbarrow. When the unit and wheelbarrow are in their operative position the compression sprin it exerts doWnward pressure on the wheels with the result that the wheels, in connection with travel over the receptacle bottom, effect the desired squeezing of the sand. As shown in Figures 2, t and 5, one of the wheels is farther from the drive shaft 5% than the other wheel. As the result of this the wheels in connection with a mullin operation, traverse different circular zones of the bottom 2! of the wheelbarrow receptacle Ill. The bottom surface of the rubber block M is canted, as shown in Figure 2,. in order that the bar H supports the axle in such an angular position that the two mulling wheels are properly positioned with respect to the circular zones of the receptacle bottom wall which they respectively traverse. As shown in the drawings, the upper portions of the mulling wheels are disposed within the cylindrical side wall 26 and the lower portions of the wheels are disposed beneath said side wall.

In addition to the side wall 26, the crosshea-d27, the mulling wheels 28 and the other parts heretofore mentioned the mulling unit'l comprises a scraper. 8| and a plow 82. The scraper 8 lis bolted to the lower end of the crosshead arm 61 and is arranged and designed to scrape the sidewall 22 and the outer portion of the bottom 2| of the wheelbarrow receptacle I0 during a sand mulling operation. As shown in Figure 4, the scraper 8! is angularly disposed with respect to the crosshead 21 and so positioned that the leading and bottom edges thereof are positioned immediately adjacent the inner face of the receptacle side Wall and the outerportion of the receptacle bottom wall when the mulling unit is in its operative position with respect to the wheelbarrow -6. The plow 82 is in theform of a curved plate and is connected to the lower end of the vertically extending bar 'lS'by a bracket 83. It is adapted during a mulling operation to force sand in the central portion of the receptacleoutwards into the path of the mulling wheels. The lower edge of the plow is curved conformably to the bottom 2! of the receptacle H3. The scraper 8| serves to scrape the sand inwards and the plow 82 operates to force the sand outwards.

When it is desired to use the apparatus the wheelbarrow is first charged with a batchof sand to be mulled. It is then wheeled under'the mull.-

ing unit 1 while. the latter is in its raised position. After the wheelbarrow is brought to rest under.

the unit the unit is lowered until the horizontally extending le 3! of the reenforcing ring 29 onthe lower end of the side wall 26 rests on the horizontally extending leg 24 of the reenforcing ring 23 on the receptacle side wall. During down.- ward shift of the unit the depending fingers 36 on the lower ends of the guide plates 35 serve automatically to center the side wall 26 with. respect to the side wall 22 of the receptacle. After lowers ing of the unit the latch members 38 of the latches 37 are swung so as to bring the inner arms. of the members 38 into gripping relation with the horizontally extending leg 24 of the ring 23. As soon as the latch members 38 are in their operative position the unit 1 is locked to the wheelbarrow. After locking of the unit to the Wheelbarrow the electric motor 5| is started by closing the switch 66. As soon as the motor is in. operation the crosshead 21 is causedto revolve and operates, through the medium of -the bar .H and the axle 1!], to drive the mulling wheels. 28 so that.

theytravel in a circular course over the receptacle bottom 2!. During travel of the wheels: in such circular course the wheels revolve about.

the axle and effect mulling'of the sand by squeezing it against the receptacle bottom. In connection with drive of the crosshead the scraper 8! on the crosshead arm 61 scrapes the sand inwards from the receptacle side wall 22 and the plow 82 forces the sand in the central portion. of the receptacle outwards into the path of .the mulling'wheels. By reason of the fact that, the wheels, are urged downwards by the compression springs. 18 the sand,'in connection with a mulling operatiomis subjected to apronounced squeezingaction. At the conclusion of the mulling operation the latches 3? are released by swinging the latch members 38 so as to disengage the inner arms 4| thereof from the horizontally extending leg 24 of the ring 23. After release of the latches the mulling unit 7 is raised bymanipulation of the hoisting means on the carriage c of the overhead travelling crane C. After raising of the unit 1 the wheelbarrow is wheeledto the location or station where the mulled sand is to be used.

The herein. described mulling apparatus is simple indesign and hence may be manufactured tion of, said receptacle sidewall; 'ajrotar at a, low and-reasonable cost, it efiectively: and efiicientlyfulfills its intended purpose -and 186$?- pecially designed for use in a smallsized; foundry.

Whereas the apparatus has beendescribed as being primarily designed or adapted lforarnulling molding sand it is to be understoodth at;the;-;ap paratus may be usedfor mulling or conditioning otherv material. It is also to beunderstood that the invention is not to be restrictedto;thedetails set forth since these may be modified Withinthe scope of the-appended claimswithout-departing from the spirit and scope of the inyention.

Having thus described theinventionwhat we claim as newand desire to secure ,by Letters Patent is: e

1. An apparatus adaptedionusein mulling molding sand in a foundryhaving,an,,overhead hoisting apparatus, and comprising portable bowl-shaped receptacle for the sand to .be mulled, and a self-contained mulling unitproyided with means whereby it may be attached tothehoisting apparatus in order that it may be bodily, lowered and raised by said hoisting apparatusfintoiand out of an operative positionwithrespect to the receptacle when the latter is positioned t beneath and embodying a continuouslside shaped conformably to thesid wall of, th receptacle and adapted when]. the unitjisljin .its operative position'to rest on, and term; on}- tinuation of, the receptacle sidelwallfa rotary member disposed within the continuous sidewall, an upstanding mulling wheelcarried y themem her, having the upper portion there disposed within the continuous sidewall ,andritsloyv rpm,- tion disposed beneath said '.contini1ous., side, wall, and arranged so that during drive, of the member while the unit is in its said-operative position it travels in a circular course oventhe rec and effects mulling of, the sand by "sdu e' against the receptacle, and powerm'eans I form of an electric motor and "speed e ducing gearing for driving the rotarym'embe 2. An apparatus adapt d for use. in. mu

, ne molding sand in a foundry having an overhead hoisting apparatus, and comprising aiportable bowl-shaped receptacle adapted contain, 1a batohof the sand to be mulled and-provided with an upstanding cylindrical side. wall, and, a es elf}- contained mulling unit provided ,withgrneans whereby it. may bedetachablyfconnectdto the hoisting apparatus in order 'thatiit may be bodily lowered and raised by said hoisting apparatus into and out of an operative positionwith're ectto the receptacle when the latteriijs positione therebeneath, and embodying a. cylinidrical al of substantially the samediameterasth tacle side wall and adapted whentheunit s in its operative position to rest onfand tor'ma con a'- disposed within the second ment i an upstanding mulling wheel conn'e member so'that it is movable verticallyt ited extent relatively theretoyhavingfth portion thereof disposed within the 1S {co dimentioned side wall and its lower'portion disposed beneath said second m'entioned'side walLand' arranged so' that during driveof 'the memberyvhile the unit is in its said, operati'veposition it travels ina circular course, over the receptacle and effects mulling of the sand by squeezing itagainst the receptacle, and p'owe'r means in the form of an electric motor andjspeed"reducingjgearin' tor driving the rotary member, f

3. An apparatus adapted for molding sand in a foundr y having anoverhead ing apparatus in orderthat it may be lowered and raised by said hoisting apparatus into and out of an operative position with respect to the recepftacle I when the latter. is positioned therebeneath and embodying a continuous side wallshaped conforniably" to the side wall of the receptacle and adapted when the unit isin its operative position to restjon, and form a continuation of, the-receptacle side wall, a rotary member disposed Within the continuous side wall, an upstanding mulling wheel connected to themember, having the upper portion thereof disposed'within the continuous side Wall and its 'lowerportion disposed beneath said continuou'sside wall, and "rranged so that during drive of the member while" the unit is in itssaid operativeposition it travels in a circular course over the receptacle and effects mulling of the sandby squeezing it againstthe receptacle; and power means for driving'th'erotary member; 4.) A mullin apparatus comprising a wheelbarrow having a bowl-shaped receptacle adapted to containa batch of the material to be mulled and provided with a continuous upstanding side wall, Ind a self-contained mulling unit provided with means whereby it may be lowered and raised into and out of an 1 operative position with respect to thewheelbarrow when'the latter is positioned therebenea'th, and embodying 'a contin'uous side wallsha'ped conformably. to'the receptacle side wall and'adapted when the unit is in its operative position to rest on, and form a continuation of,

said'recepta'cle side wall, a rotary member dis-' posed within the second mentioned continuous side WalLanupstanding mulling wheel connected the rotary member so that itis movable vertipally, to alimited extent relatively thereto, havingfthe upper portion'thereof disposed Within the second mentioned continuous side wall and its lower'portion disposedbeneath 'said second menti oned continuous'si'de wall, provided with spring meansfor urging it downwards, and arranged so that during drive'of the member while the unit is irrits operative position it travels in a circular course over the receptacle and effects mulling of the material by squeezing it against the'receptacle, and power means-for driving the rotary member;

5. An apparatus adapted for use in mulling material in an establishment. having an overhead hoisting apparatus with a flexible depending hoist element; andcomprising a portable bowl-shaped receptaclefor the materlal'to be mulled; a self contained mulling" 'unit" provided With means whereby it may'beconnected to,"and freely suspended ifrom, the lower end ojfthe hoist element in order 'thatit' may be lowered and raised bythe hoistin apparatus into and outof an operative positionfvvith resp'ectto the receptacle when the latteris positioned thereb'eneath, and embodying a continuous sidewall shaped conformably to the side wall of the receptable and adapted'when the unit is in its operative positlonto rest on, and form a continuation of, the receptacle sidewall, alrotary member disposed within the second mentioned side wall, an upstanding mulling wheel carried by the member positioned so that the upperportionthereoi is disposed within the second mentioned side ,wall and its lower portion is disposed-beneath said second mentionedside wall, and arranged so that during drive of the latter while the unit is in its said operative position it travels in a circular course over the'receptacle and effects mulling of the material by squeezing it against the receptacle, and power means in the form of an electric motor and speed'reducing gearing for driving the rotary member; and means for guiding the side wall of the unit into registering relation with the receptacle side wall when the unit is lowered into its operative position.

6. An apparatus adapted for use in mulling material in an establishment having an overhead hoisting apparatus with a flexible depending hoist element, and comprising a portable bowl-shaped receptacle for the material to be mulled, and a self-contained mulling unit provided with means whereby it may be detachably connected to, and freely suspended from, the lower end of the hoist element in order that it may be lowered and raised by said hoisting apparatus into and out of an operative position with respect to the receptacle when the latter is positioned therebeneath, and embodying a continuous side wall shaped conformably to the side wall of the receptacle, adapted when the unit is in its operative position to rest on, and form a continuation of the receptacle side wall, and provided with depending fingers at its lower end for guiding it into registering relation with the receptacle side wall when the unit is lowered into its operative said position, a rotary member disposed within the second mentioned side wall and provided with an element that is adapted during drive of the member while the unit is in its said operative position to travel in a circular course in the receptacle and effect mulling of the material, and power means for driving the rotary member.

7; An apparatus adapted for use in mulling material in an establishment havin an overhead hoisting apparatus, and comnrisin a portable bowl -shaped rece tacle for the material to be mulled, and a self-contained mulling unit provided with means whereby it may be attached to the hoisting apparatus in order that it may be bodily lowered and raised by said hoisting apparatus into and out of an operative position with respect to t e receptacle when the latter disposed therebeneath, and embodying a continuous side wall shaped conformably to the side wall of the rece tacle. adapted when the unit is in its operative position to rest on. and form a continuation f,'the receptacle side wall, and provided with 55 latch means for releasably locking it to the receptacle side wall when the unit is in its said operative position, a rotary member disposed within the second mentioned side wall, an upstanding mulling wheel carried by the member, having the upper portion thereof disposed within the second mentioned side wall and its lower portion disposed beneath sa d second mentioned side wall, and arranged so that during drive of the latter whilethe unit is in its said operative position it travels in a circular course over the receptacle and effects mulling of the material by squeezing it against said receptacle, and power means for driving said rotary member.

-8. An apparatus adapted for use in mulling material in an establishment having an overhead hoisting apparatus with a flexible depending hoist element, and comprising a portable bowl-shaped receptacle adapted to contain a batch of the'material to be mulled and provided with ground wheels whereby it may be wheeled from place to place, and a self-contained mulling unit provided with means whereby it may be detachably connected to, and freely suspended from, the lower end of the hoist element in order that it may be lowered and raised by said hoisting apparatus into and out of an operative position with respect to the receptacle when the latter is disposed therebeneath and embodying a continuous side wall shaped conformably to the side wall of the receptacle, adapted-when the unit is in its operative position to rest on, and form a continuation of, the receptacle side wall, provided on its lower end with depending fingers for guiding it into registering relation with the receptacle side wall when the unit is lowered into its operative position, and also provided with a latch for releasably looking it to the receptacle side wall, a rotary member in the second mentioned side wall, a mulling wheel carried by the member and arranged so that/during drive of the latter while the unit is in its said operative position it travels in a circular course within the receptacle and efiects mulling of the material by squeezing itagainst said receptacle, and power means for driving said rotary member.

9. A mulling apparatus of the character described comprising a wheelbarrow having a bowl-shaped receptacle adapted to contain a batch of the material to be mulled and provided with a cylindrical upstanding side wall, and a self-contained mulling unit provided with means whereby it may be lowered and raised into and out of an operative position with respect to the wheelbarrow when the latter is positioned therebeneath, and embodying a cylindrical side wall of substantially the same diameter as the receptacle side wall, adapted when the unit is in its operative position to rest on, and form a continuation of, the receptacle side wall, provided with depending means for guiding it into registering relation with the receptacle side wall "when the unit is lowered into its operative position;and also provided on said means with latch means for releasably looking it to said receptacle sidewall, a rotary crosshead in the second mentioned'side wall, a mulling wheel carried by the crosshead and'adapted during drive of the latter'while the unit is in its operative position to travel in'a circular course in the receptacle and effect mulling of the material, and power means for driving the crosshead.

10. An apparatus adapted to mull granular material in an establishment having an overhead hoist ng apparatus, and comprising a portable. bowl-shaped receptacle for the material to bemulled, anda self-contained mulling unit provided with means whereby it may be attached to the. hoisting apparatus in order that it may be lowered and raised by said hoisting apparatus into and out of an operative position with respect to the receptacle when the latter is positioned therebeneath, and embodying a continuous side wall shaped conformably to the side wallof the receptacle, adapted when theunit is in its operative position to rest on, and form a continuation .of, the receptacle side wall, and having at its upper end a structural member ex tending thereacross, a rotary crosshead disposed within. the second mentioned side wall, an upstanding mulling wheel connected to the crosshead so that it is vertically movable to a limited extent relatively thereto, provided with spring means" for urging it downwards, having the up- "per portion thereof disposed within the second 13 mentioned side wall and its lower portion disposed beneath said second mentioned side wall, and arranged so that during drive of the crosshead while the unit is in its operative position it travels in a circular course over the receptacle and efiects mulling of the material by squeezing it against said receptacle, and means for driving the crosshead consisting of an electric motor and speed reducing gearing supported on said structural member.

11. A self-contained mulling unit of the character described comprising a cylindrical upstanding side wall provided at its upper end with a pair of parallel laterally spaced structural members extending thereacross, a rotary crosshead disposed within the side wall, a mulling wheel carried by the crosshead and positioned so that the upper portion thereof is disposed Within the side Wall and its lower portion is dis: posed beneath said side wall, means for driving the crosshead consisting of an electric motor and speed reducing gearing positioned between, and supported by, said structural members, and an upstanding bail having the lower ends of the legs thereof connected to the central portions of said structural members, adapted to be attached to the hook of an overhead hoisting apparatus, and positioned and arranged so that when the unit is supported by said apparatus the side wall assumes a substantially horizontal position.

12. A self-contained mulling unit comprising a continuous side wall provided at its upper end with a pair of laterally spaced parallel structural members extending thereacross, a rotary crosshead disposed within the side Wall and provided with a mulling element, power means for driving the crosshead consisting of an electric motor and speed reducing gearing positioned between and supported by, the structural members, and an upstanding bail having the lower ends of the legs thereof connected to the central portions of said structural members, adapted to be attached to a hoisting apparatus, and positioned and arranged so that when the unit is supported by said hoisting apparatus said side wall assumes a substantially horizontal position. 13. A mulling apparatus comprising a rotary horizontally elongated crosshead, a bar disposed beneath and in parallel relation with the crosshead, a resilient block fitting between one end of the bar and the superjacent end of the crosshead, a bolt extending through the block and said ends of the bar and crosshead and forming with the block a pivotal connection whereby the bar is supported so that it is capable of swinging vertically, means between the other end of the crosshead and the distal end of the bar for limiting downward swing of said bar, an axle extending transversely of the bar and having the central portion thereof fixedly connected to the central portion of said bar, mulling Wheels rotatably mounted on the ends of the axle, and power means for driving the crosshead.

WALTER F. PIPER. JOSEPH J. SOLDAT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 348,931 Ross Sept. '7, 1886 529,617 Howard Nov. 20, 1894 646,484 Wiswell et a1 Apr. 3, 1900 856,295 Prindle June 11,190?

1,115,591 Sears Nov. 3, 1914 1,144,160 Turner June 22, 1915 1,673,927 Turner June 19, 1928 1,933,278 Piper Oct. 11, 1933 2,203,672 Chester June 11, 1940 2,318,797 Piper May 11, 1943 

